Mastering/Dithering -Sound Forge - PC - MAGIX Community Forums Archive

Subject:Mastering/Dithering Posted by: luces Date:11/13/2002 1:14:44 PM Hey there. I am trying to experiment with mastering some of my stuff and I was wondering what order the steps are that I need to take. I am using stereo files rendered at 96/24, so do I need to resample them down to 44.1 then dither to 16bit, or do I dither then resample or what? Any advice and extra tips/info about mastering with Sound Forge are GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Luces
Subject:RE: Mastering/Dithering Reply by: viren55 Date:11/13/2002 2:26:36 PM i do all the mastering using waves plug-ins. add the flange, gapper snipper, chorus, reverb, etc...then compress, then eq it, then use the L2 maximizer to raise the volume. it is very very important to leave the EQ'ing till the last or 2nd last step. viren55 http://djviru.com
Subject:RE: Mastering/Dithering Reply by: stickstr Date:11/22/2002 12:41:11 PM Hi luces, I think viren55 may have missed your point, but here goes. If you start with 24-bit/96kHz, and you want to convert the track optimally for 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD audio), your best bet is to get all of your work done in 24-bit/96kHz mode first (i.e. pitch, effects, etc.). Then resample, and finally dither. When you resample, there is a nice preset already made up for you to get to 44100Hz. Make sure the anti-alias filter is checked ON, and that the "change sample rate only" box is OFF. You might want to up the accuracy, but I find 2 or 3 works fine for most audio I've done. The anti-alias filter will help prevent harsh digital artifacting that would otherwise result. To dither, simply add the Dither plugin, and select 16-bit. I usually use 1/2 bit resolution and a noise shape of 1, but again you should let your ears be the final judge and jury. Select the whole track and process it. The noise shaping puts some randomized noise pretty much above normal human hearing, so it hides some of the noise that is added by the dithering process. Now you can save the resulting file as 16-bit, 44.1kHz, and you should be ready to burn your CD from the rendered track(s).
Subject:RE: Mastering/Dithering Reply by: luces Date:12/12/2002 2:45:03 AM Hey man,(stickstr) THANKS!!!!! I am sorry, but I did not see your response until today(12-12-02)!!!! I REALLLYYYYY appreciate the input! Happy Holidays to you! Thanks again, Luces

Subject:Mastering/Dithering

Posted by: luces

Date:11/13/2002 1:14:44 PM

Hey there. I am trying to experiment with mastering some of my stuff and I was wondering what order the steps are that I need to take. I am using stereo files rendered at 96/24, so do I need to resample them down to 44.1 then dither to 16bit, or do I dither then resample or what? Any advice and extra tips/info about mastering with Sound Forge are GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Luces

Subject:RE: Mastering/Dithering

Reply by: viren55

Date:11/13/2002 2:26:36 PM

i do all the mastering using waves plug-ins.

add the flange, gapper snipper, chorus, reverb, etc...then compress, then eq it, then use the L2 maximizer to raise the volume.

it is very very important to leave the EQ'ing till the last or 2nd last step.

viren55
http://djviru.com

Subject:RE: Mastering/Dithering

Reply by: stickstr

Date:11/22/2002 12:41:11 PM

Hi luces,

I think viren55 may have missed your point, but here goes. If you start with 24-bit/96kHz, and you want to convert the track optimally for 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD audio), your best bet is to get all of your work done in 24-bit/96kHz mode first (i.e. pitch, effects, etc.). Then resample, and finally dither.

When you resample, there is a nice preset already made up for you to get to 44100Hz. Make sure the anti-alias filter is checked ON, and that the "change sample rate only" box is OFF. You might want to up the accuracy, but I find 2 or 3 works fine for most audio I've done. The anti-alias filter will help prevent harsh digital artifacting that would otherwise result.

To dither, simply add the Dither plugin, and select 16-bit. I usually use 1/2 bit resolution and a noise shape of 1, but again you should let your ears be the final judge and jury. Select the whole track and process it. The noise shaping puts some randomized noise pretty much above normal human hearing, so it hides some of the noise that is added by the dithering process.

Now you can save the resulting file as 16-bit, 44.1kHz, and you should be ready to burn your CD from the rendered track(s).

Subject:RE: Mastering/Dithering

Reply by: luces

Date:12/12/2002 2:45:03 AM

Hey man,(stickstr) THANKS!!!!! I am sorry, but I did not see your response until today(12-12-02)!!!! I REALLLYYYYY appreciate the input! Happy Holidays to you! Thanks again, Luces